Clinical Profile and Psychiatric Comorbidity of Treatment-Seeking Individuals with Pathological Gambling in South-Africa

Pathologicalgambling is a prevalent and disabling mental illness, which is frequently associated with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. However, there is relatively little data on comorbidityin individuals with pathologicalgambling from low and middle income countries such as South-Africa. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interviewwas used to assess the frequency of DSM-IV-TR disorders among 100 male and 100 female treatment-seeking individuals with pathologicalgambling in South-Africa. The Sheehan Disability Scale was used to assess functional impairment. In a South-African sample of individuals with pathologicalgambling, the most frequent current comorbidpsychiatric disorders were major depressive disorder(28 %), anxiety disorders(25.5 %) and substance use disorders (10.5 %). Almost half of the individuals had a lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder(46 %). Female pathologicalgamblers were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a comorbid major depressive disorderor generalised anxiety disorderthan their male counterparts. Data from South-Africa are consistent with previously published data from high income countries. Psychiatric comorbidityis common among individuals with pathologicalgambling.